Where does Stress end and Mental Illness Begin?

Stress is NOT a medical condition but a reaction to a situation a person finds themselves in.

This session will consider the effects of stress and how to manage it effectively. Knowing about the 6 key drivers of stress will support us to better inform employers and employees how to recognise and manage stress in the workplace more effectively. Also, we will discuss the link between stress and burnout, and how failing to address this could lead to a mental health condition. ‘Burnout’ seems to be a term frequently used now and we need to understand what can be done to prevent this occurring. Although we need to better understand this topic for the work we complete to assist clients, we also need to appreciate that stress can affect anyone and we must do everything we can to maintain our own mental wellbeing.

Resources and further information will be shared during the session.

Your Speaker: Sharon Patmore

Chartered Psychologist (Occupational), AFBPsS, HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist

Sharon Patmore is Chartered Occupational Psychologist with over 25 years of experience of supporting people who experience a range of health and disability related difficulties, including mental health. She is an Associate Fellow of the BPS and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Practicing Occupational Psychologist. She is also a Professional Member of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association.

Sharon has experience of working in the Public, Private and Charitable sectors and has a background in HR, Training and Development that spans over 30 years across a wide range of sectors, providing a strong focus of supporting people to develop and thrive in work. She has extensive experience in psychometric assessments using these for recruitment and transitioning purposes, including assisting members of HM Armed Forces in their transition to Civvy Street after having been wounded or injured.

During the first 2 years of the pandemic, she trained over 800 managers in understanding how to better support their teams with their mental health and wellbeing, that enable them to cope better during those uncertain times. She has been able to help others understand the full extent of psychological difficulties experienced by employees, including the implications of transitioning to working at home, returning to the workplace, changes in the structure of employment and the impact of COVID-10 physically, cognitively and psychologically within the work context. More recently she has been working with organisations that want to develop their Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy where understanding the implications of stress is an important factor.